New-Mathenesse is a business park located next to the city centre of Schiedam. It’s a place with a lot of qualities: located on the water and with a strong identity due to its long history around distilleries and bottling. However, because of its monotonous function, look and feel this area is not often used as a place to stroll around, relax, enjoy or explore. The recent departure of the glass factory creates space for a new kind of development due to the disappearance of environmental contours.
As a result this area will transform into a more urban residential area in the upcoming years. However it needs some attention to introduce people to a part of the city where most never came and to make people feel comfortable there. It’s a car dominated area and there are questions about social safety and quality. There are little “eyes on the streets” and there are little places to enjoy.
As placemaking manager I will work with both current entrepreneurs and surrounding residents as well as new energy to enrich this area with functions and activities, flowers and plants, clear signage and comfortable places to sit, stroll around and bike for both current and future use.